Title
Honoring the Legacy of Yusef Mgeni in the City of St. Paul.
Body
WHEREAS, Yusef Mgeni, a devoted husband, father, historian, journalist, community educator, and civil rights leader, passed away on April 7, 2026, leaving behind a legacy that will echo through generations, shaping how Black Minnesota history is preserved, understood, and carried forward; and
WHEREAS, born Charles Anderson and raised in the historic Rondo community of Saint Paul, to Charles Crane Anderson and Theresa Agness Baker Anderson, he was shaped by a family deeply engaged in civic, religious, and cultural life, including Saint Peter Claver Catholic Church and the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center; and
WHEREAS, he carried forward a multi-generational legacy of civil rights leadership as the grandnephew of Fredrick L. McGhee, one of Minnesota’s first Black attorneys and co-founder of the Niagara Movement, founder of Minnesota’s first NAACP chapter, and co-founder of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, his early intellectual foundation was shaped by his grandmother, Constance “Connie” Anderson, who instilled in him a lifelong discipline of reading, study, and critical thought rooted in the works of Richard Wright and Carter G. Woodson; and
WHEREAS, as a student at Saint Paul Central High School, he witnessed defining moments of the Civil Rights Movement, including hearing Martin Luther King Jr. and learning of organizing efforts led by A. Philip Randolph; and
WHEREAS, in 1972, he formally took his African Yoruba name, Yusef Mgeni, reflecting his commitment to heritage, dignity, and purpose, and graduated from Metropolitan State University in 1974 with a degree in journalism; and
WHEREAS, he began producing programming at KUOM Radio in 1973 and contributed to the Malcolm X Pan-Afrikan Institute, using media as a tool to educate, inform, and uplift community voices; and
WHEREAS, he helped organize Minnesota’s participation in the 1995 Million Man March, demonstrating his commitment to civic engagement and national movement building; and
WHEREAS, he founded Yusef Mgeni and Associates L.L.C. and served as Director of the Office of Educational Equity for Saint Paul Public Schools from 2006 to 2012, advancing equity in education and opportunity for students; and
WHEREAS, he led Saint Paul Strong from 2013 to 2016, advocating for transparency, accountability, and representative government in City Hall; and
WHEREAS, he served as an active member of the Saint Paul Branch of the NAACP since 1988, later rising to Vice President, where he provided steady leadership on issues of public safety and civil rights, including helping to negotiate police body camera policy with the Saint Paul Police Department; and
WHEREAS, through that leadership, he played a critical role in establishing the 2001 community police covenant agreement between the Saint Paul Police Department and the Saint Paul NAACP, a landmark agreement in response to longstanding community concerns regarding police brutality and excessive use of force, which strengthened accountability, improved community trust, and contributed to sustained reductions in excessive force practices; and
WHEREAS, Yusef Mgeni dedicated his life to preserving and advancing the history of Black Minnesotans, maintaining a vast and invaluable archive of speeches, books, articles, photographs, and primary source materials that documented generations of Black leadership, resilience, and community life; and
WHEREAS, through his work with the Minnesota Historical Society and Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Yusef Mgeni served as a trusted voice and historical authority, documenting, interpreting, and preserving the lived experiences of Black Minnesotans, ensuring that the stories of our community were told with truth, depth, and dignity; and
WHEREAS, his leadership extended across influential community institutions, including the Sabathani Community Center, KMOJ Radio, and the Urban Coalition, where he contributed to efforts that strengthened Black institutions rooted in service and collective progress; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, his expertise as a historian informed the Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Commission and the City Council’s decision to permanently restore Rondo Avenue, ensuring that the work was grounded in historical accuracy and repair; and
WHEREAS, widely recognized as a “keeper of our stories,” Yusef Mgeni mentored generations of elected officials and strengthened the cultural and civic fabric of Saint Paul; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby honors the life and legacy of Yusef Mgeni and expresses its deep gratitude for his decades of service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to truth, community, and justice; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Saint Paul calls on all residents, institutions, and leaders to carry forward Yusef Mgeni’s legacy by championing the spirit of his name-Yusef, one who seeks wisdom to benefit others, and Mgeni, a visitor from a faraway place-ensuring that his purpose and impact continue to live through the actions we take as a city.